As anyone who’s ever lost a tooth to trauma, disease, or decay will be quick to tell you, it is vitally important to address the area in the mouth that’s been vacated by the lost tooth. If you’ve suffered tooth loss, for the good of your smile, the integrity of your bite, and the health of the muscles and bone in your jaw, there’s a good chance that dental implants are the solution that you’re seeking!
What Is a Dental Implant, and How Does It Work?
A dental implant is a small titanium peg that’s implanted surgically into the hole left behind in the jawbone following tooth loss. Once placed in the hole, or socket, in the jawbone, these posts are covered with a protective material and allowed to begin fusing permanently with the jawbone in a process called osseointegration. Once this process is complete, the implant, now permanently fused into the jawbone, creates an anchoring point for a new tooth.
At this point, a prosthetic tooth (usually a dental implant-supported crown) is secured to the implant as a permanent, fixed replacement tooth.
Signs You Might Be a Great Candidate for Dental Implants
While dental implants are widely regarded as the best available tooth-replacement solution, they unfortunately aren't right for everyone. A person’s oral and overall health history plays a role in determining whether they are a good candidate for dental implants.
Typically, a good candidate for dental implants will have a fully-formed jawbone (this typically happens around 18 years of age) and have gums and a jawbone structure that are sufficiently healthy to support a dental implant.
Life After Your Implant: What to Expect
In the aftermath of a dental implant procedure, a person must be prepared to commit fully to taking care of their gums and oral health and eating a balanced and healthy diet that’s loaded with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Schedule Your Free Dental Implant Consultation in Cookeville, TN
If you are in the Cookeville area and want to determine whether you're a good candidate for dental implants, schedule a consultation with dentist Dr. Jackson Hall and the Hall Dental Group team, who will determine whether dental implants are an appropriate solution for you.